The Dubois County Museum Board of Directors had their Annual Meeting last night at the Museum, naming a new director for the museum as well as present the Sagamores of the Wabash Award.
Shirley J. Ray was named the new Director of the Dubois County Museum. Ray, who originally is from Knox County, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joesph, Minnesota, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Museum Studies at the University of Nebraska. Over the past 20 years, she has served as an Executive Director for Museums in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, as well as Indiana. Ray has also served as a Social Sciences professor at Vincennes University. Ray says that when she saw the opening for the position, she leaped at the opportunity. Ray says that she is very excited to manage the facility.
Ray also says that there is room for the Museum to grow. One goal she has as Director is to add audio/visual components to exhibits as well as doubling the number of museum board members. Another goal that Ray has is to create satellite exhibits to entice the public to come to the museum.
Also presented at the meeting was the presentation of the Sagamores of the Wabash Award. This award is one of the highest awards a Hoosier can achieve. Dubois County Commissioner Elmer Brames and State Representative Shane Lindauer presented the award to Dubois County Attorney and County Historian Art Nordoff. Art says history has been ingrained in him, as his father was the County Historian as well. Art has spent his life helping those in Dubois County, as well as being one of the members who started the Dubois County Museum.
Art, who did not know he was receiving the award prior, says that he was extremely surprised and honored to be able to receive the prestigious award.
Other events that took place at the board meeting was Peg Wagner presenting the Annual Financial Report, Kathy Bachman presenting the Secretary’s Report and the 2019 Year in Review, A Special Recognition of Retiring Directors by Bruce Heeke, the nominating of new committee members by Vic Betz, and the Election of Directors.
